The T5 Q&a Thread

[rodcpierce]

grim, quick bulb cooling question. How far away from the "cold spot" should the bulbs remain cool? With the fans on and the splash guard in place, the cold spot or label end of the bulb remains cool to the touch, but about 6 inches out its quite abit warmer. just wondered if this was normal or optimal? Not sure how far out the bulbs should remain cool?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

grim, quick bulb cooling question. How far away from the "cold spot" should the bulbs remain cool? With the fans on and the splash guard in place, the cold spot or label end of the bulb remains cool to the touch, but about 6 inches out its quite abit warmer. just wondered if this was normal or optimal? Not sure how far out the bulbs should remain cool?

Keep the cooling right at the end. Cooling the middle will overcool it. About the last inch or so is where it matters.

 

[sfboarders]

For 6 bulbs I really like:

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Cool, thx for the info! I'd also like to know the order of the bulbs that Grim suggested.

 

[rodcpierce]

so grim, with cooling the cold spots, you think its fine to put a 1/16th lexan splash shield in place then? or should I just go without the shield all together? I just dont want the excess heat if its going to hinder performance.

 

[Chris3323]

If there was a t5 god grim would be the man.

I am getting a 6 bulb aquaticlife over my 40B. slots 2 and 4 are on a timer and 1,3,5,6 are seperate.

I am looking to avoid going too blue. right now I have blue+ and aquablue special ATI bulbs. I love this color. But I think i would like to incorporate a red enhancing bulb.

What is your opinion on placement and bulbs. KZ fijipurple is that comparable to actinic white? You tell me what you would do.

As always thanks!

 

[oscarsdad608]

One last question for you Grim. I am running2 250watt xm 10k bulbs. I want to switch out the vho for t5. I found a great deal on a four bulb setup, what would you suggest for bulbs. I wanted the growth from the 10k but I can't stand the colo I want more blue.

 

[Ricunger]

2 Actinic Plus, 1 Aquablue and the Fiji Pruple.

That combo looks just like a Phoenix 14K to my eye and I had two tanks sitting side by side when I compared.

Awesome Thanks!

 

[steelcity]

Would the ATI sunpower 48" 6x54 be enough on a 60x22x22 LPS dominated tank? Plan on hanging the fixture above the tank.

 

[Underwaterparadise]

One last question for you Grim. I am running2 250watt xm 10k bulbs. I want to switch out the vho for t5. I found a great deal on a four bulb setup, what would you suggest for bulbs. I wanted the growth from the 10k but I can't stand the colo I want more blue.

My question is similar. What bulb gives the best Actinic Pop? I love the look of VHO actinic but don't have room. I have tried several but never the ATI's

 

[copycon]

Would an ATI 60" 8x80W T5 Powermodule fixture be too much light for a 155 gallon tank measuring 72"x24"x24"?

I am planning to add some SPS corals, but not heavily dominant.

Thanks!

 

[OneFiddy]

Ok ,and yet another 'which bulbs'

I think you already answered mine about 5,000 page ago

I have a 150XH 48x24x30H. It's a fish only with a Living Color reef insert.

I have a Tex 6x54W fixture and forgot what config I have (one recommended here) and I find the overall color too 'blue'

So, assuming I can start from scratch, what would you recommend for a nice white to blue (leaning more white) 6 bulb config and in what order. I'm going for BRIGHT and depth penetration and maximizing fish color.

Also, how do you feel about adding the IceCap LED Retro Lunartubes?

Thx

 

[NewSchool04]

Hey Grim, I'm looking at a new Tek 8 bulb fixture. I'm looking for a blue/white 15K look. This is what I'm thinking as far as bulbs, the first two and the last two light for the dawn effect (so 4 bulbs).

Front
Blue Plus
Figi
Blue Plus
1200 ATI
Blue Plus
GE 6500
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Am I going to get a nice blue/white color with this combo?

Thanks!

 

[JamesJR]

what is a good bulb combination for a 4 bulb 24 inch fixture? I am more interested in maximum growth than coloration

 

[Ding2daDong]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1803802

Lighting a 30" tall tank with t5s?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

so grim, with cooling the cold spots, you think its fine to put a 1/16th lexan splash shield in place then? or should I just go without the shield all together? I just dont want the excess heat if its going to hinder performance.

I really couldn't tell ya. If you can pick up a cheapo light meter you can test it all yourself. Any measurement of light output would tell you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If there was a t5 god grim would be the man.

I am getting a 6 bulb aquaticlife over my 40B. slots 2 and 4 are on a timer and 1,3,5,6 are seperate.

I am looking to avoid going too blue. right now I have blue+ and aquablue special ATI bulbs. I love this color. But I think i would like to incorporate a red enhancing bulb.

What is your opinion on placement and bulbs. KZ fijipurple is that comparable to actinic white? You tell me what you would do.

As always thanks!

Front
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Would the ATI sunpower 48" 6x54 be enough on a 60x22x22 LPS dominated tank? Plan on hanging the fixture above the tank.

Sure

 

[The Grim Reefer]

One last question for you Grim. I am running2 250watt xm 10k bulbs. I want to switch out the vho for t5. I found a great deal on a four bulb setup, what would you suggest for bulbs. I wanted the growth from the 10k but I can't stand the colo I want more blue.

4 ATI Blue Plus, you will like it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

My question is similar. What bulb gives the best Actinic Pop? I love the look of VHO actinic but don't have room. I have tried several but never the ATI's

If you are tight on room and can't use the reflectors use the UVL 454 with the internal reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok ,and yet another 'which bulbs'

I think you already answered mine about 5,000 page ago

I have a 150XH 48x24x30H. It's a fish only with a Living Color reef insert.

I have a Tex 6x54W fixture and forgot what config I have (one recommended here) and I find the overall color too 'blue'

So, assuming I can start from scratch, what would you recommend for a nice white to blue (leaning more white) 6 bulb config and in what order. I'm going for BRIGHT and depth penetration and maximizing fish color.

Also, how do you feel about adding the IceCap LED Retro Lunartubes?

Thx

Those Ice Cap LED's are way cool.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

That would be around 14K or so. You could try the Giesemann Aquablue instead of the ATI Aquablue, they have less of a blue tint to them.